2 Chronicles 30

2Ch 30:9-10 For if you return to the LORD, your brethren and your children will be treated with compassion by those who lead them captive, so that they may come back to this land; for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him." (10) So the runners passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun; but they laughed at them and mocked them.

Hezekiah was changing Israel back into the nation they should be. He was setting up a decree for all to take part in the passover. We do notice that this decree was optional. If you did not feel like travelling all the way to Jerusalem you did not have to. Finally, in order to spread the news, the king appointed his runners.

I am sure you have heard the phrase, "I am just the messenger." This may be how these runners felt while going out and proclaiming the king's decree. They were mocked, ridiculed, and probably even threatened. Even though they were "just the messengers." they were representing a decree that God had approved.

We are like runners. The Gospel is our decree. Jesus is the King who has sent us out. Those laughing is the world. But notice what happened... 2Ch 30:12 "Also the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, at the word of the LORD." God intervened because of the obedience of Hezekiah and the messengers. All of a sudden, people were taking from their own time to make a journey to celebrate something long forgotten. God did the work!

We are going to be mocked as we go about proclaiming His good news. Remember not to give up but to simply be obedient to Him. By doing so, we will be able to watch Him do a work! Who knows whose heart the message might take root in. Simply be faithful to plant the seed. Do not do all the running and forget to share the decree.